Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to choose Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the greatest mistake of his political career.
Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a fireside chat with veteran entertainer and activist Charly Boy in Lagos at the unveiling of the Charly Boy Foundation and the launch of his memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
Reflecting on his years in office, the former president said that, looking back, he would not have selected Atiku as his vice president.
“I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999,” Obasanjo said.
Despite the fallout in their relationship, Obasanjo said he harbours no resentment towards his former deputy, adding that their differences did not prevent his administration from pursuing its goals.
“There is no bitterness in me over what happened. Despite everything, I was able to achieve what I set out to achieve while in power,” he stated.
Obasanjo also addressed questions about his ancestry during the discussion, insisting that his roots are firmly in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
“My parents were from Abeokuta. I still know our family house there,” he said.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, businessman Leo Stan Ekeh, veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo, book reviewer Dr. Austin Tam-George, and other dignitaries.
Obasanjo and Atiku were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 and served as president and vice president until 2007. Their political alliance later collapsed during their second term following disagreements that led to a prolonged public fallout.
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